My “strengths finder” says I’m a “learner”. I usually don’t put much stock in such surveys, but this one is dead on. At any one time I have 10-12 podcasts going, at least one or two audiobooks, and then plenty of good ‘ole fashioned bound paper books. Don’t get me started on my Twitter rabbit-holes.
Here are five things I discovered or enjoyed this week.
Favorite Podcast Episode
I’m a little behind in my feed, but this week I listened to Boundless Body Radio episode 165 with Massimo Pigliucci. The episode was, for me, an introduction to stoicism. Professor Pigliucci is an author of several popular books on stoicism and has PhDs in both evolutionary biology and philosophy. You’d think with that pedigree he’d be a boring academic. Far from it! He was obviously excited about the material and and it really came through in his interview. Listen to the interview here.
Audiobook I Finished This Week
I’ve read, watched, and listened to “The Hobbit” since I was in 5th grade (thanks, Mr. Bidleman!). The newest audiobook release of “The Hobbit” read by Andy Serkis is amazing. I love listening to fiction audiobooks, especially by Neil Gaiman, who does a fantastic job reading his own material. But I have to say that Serkis has set a new bar for audiobook reading. I haven’t grabbed “The Lord of the Rings” yet, but my kids – who have – say it’s equally well done.
The Lord of the Rings on Audible.
Book I’m Currently Reading
I’m two weeks into “Business Made Simple” by Donald Miller. His previous business book, “Marketing Made Simple” was great. It not only helped me think of how I market and talk about my business, but about how I position myself as a leader of my family and community. Business Made Simple is a 60-day collection of readings and accompanying videos that cover what it takes to become – in Miller’s words – “a value-driven professional”. He covers character, leadership, sales, negotiation, productivity and more. So far I’ve pulled some good nuggets out.
Business Made Simple on Amazon
Quote of the Week
Much of my spare time is spent pouring myself into young men. There is no more iconic picture of a “manly man” than Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. I stumbled on this quote by Roosevelt today:
“The man who counts, and the boy who counts, are the man and boy who steadily endeavor to build up, to improve, to better living conditions everywhere and all about them.“
The letter it’s taken from tempers what today’s culture might call “toxic masculinity” by adding the necessity of the application of the Ten Commandments, The Golden Rule, selflessness and gentility.
Diet Change
I have a quirky digestive system. After three years of experimentation, I have only found a couple of leavers I can reliably pull that will keep everything running smoothly (grains and legumes are OUT!). Unfortunately, even sticking to the reliable levers, my system was way out of whack through most of August and September. Over the last two weeks I’ve taken some drastic measures to restrict my diet even more. Fortunately, I’ve found a great amount of relief. Unfortunately, I can’t exactly pinpoint the exact cause because I changed so many variables at the same time. What I’ve changed:
- Time restricted eating window of 12p-8p every day. I was previously limiting my feeding to 8 hours only on weekends.
- No alcohol.
- One cup of coffee per day.
- The same lunch, every. single. day. Scoop of tuna with home-grown broccoli sprouts, salami/provolone roll-up, one or two (home grown) hard-boiled eggs, 2 slices of parmesan cheese, a dill pickle spear, and a handful of Epic baked pork rinds.
- Dinner is mostly meat-based. Very few fibrous veggies.
- I’ve added two shots of MCT oil through the day.
As restrictive as this sounds, it’s actually surprisingly easy to maintain. I love the food, waiting until 12p to eat doesn’t bother me at all; I’m not hungry. The hardest part is the coffee. I am someone who loves his coffee and would prefer to drink it all day. I’m having to get creative with hot beverages.